Signs of good health

When you visit your veterinarian, be sure to bring up any questions or concerns regarding your cat's health. To help you determine abnormalities you need to discuss with your veterinarian, please review the following lists.

What's Normal

Eyes: Should be bright and clear. Report any discharge to your veterinarian.

Ears: Should be clean and free of discharge, odor and redness. Untreated ear problems are painful and can cause hearing loss.

Mouth: Should smell fresh. Gums should be pink. Teeth should be free of tartar or plaque. Mouth and lips should be free of sores or growths.

What's NOT Normal

Diarrhoea: This common ailment can be caused by many factors including bacteria, viruses, internal parasites, toxic substances, too much food or psychological upsets. Call your veterinarian if stools are bloody, if there is a large volume of watery stools, if your cat is thin or potbellied, or if the diarrhea continues for more than 24 hours.

Constipation: Like diarrhea, constipation can be caused by many factors, including ingesting substances such as hair, bones or foreign materials, or because of disease or insufficient water intake. Your veterinarian may recommend blood tests, radiographs or perform other tests to find the cause.

Vomiting: It is not uncommon for a cat to vomit occasionally, but frequent or persistent vomiting is not normal. Call your veterinarian if vomiting occurs more than five times in a few hours, large volumes are vomited, vomit contains blood, or is accompanied by diarrhea or abdominal pain.

When you get a cat or kitten or are thinking about bringing one into your home, it is a vitally important part of that process that you do proper research first. Knowledge of cat health is the power that will keep your cat healthy.

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